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What is the Gospel?

The word "gospel" means "good news". The gospel, then, is good news. This is helpful as far as it goes. But it doesn't go very far. There are still several questions that need to be answered.

We find the answers we need in God's Word. In one sense, the whole Bible is the gospel. But it takes a long time to read the entire Bible. Thankfully, the Bible contains many helpful summaries of its overall message. One of the clearest is found in Paul's letter to the Romans, chapters 1-4.

In Romans 1-4, Paul presents the good news in wonderful detail. As you read these chapters you will see that Paul structures his message around 5 key points.

First, God made us, and all people, to worship and serve him.

Second, we, and all people, have rebelled against God, refusing to worship and serve him, and therefore have earned God's condemnation, the result of which is eternal death.

Third, because we are polluted by sin and unable to worship and serve God in a worthy manner, there is nothing we can do to escape God's condemnation and save ourselves.

Fourth, God, because of his great and gracious love for us, sent his beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from sin and death through his sacrificial death and resurrection.

Finally, we can be included in this salvation accomplished by Jesus Christ if we will simply believe in him, trusting him alone for the forgiveness of our sins and right standing with God.

Of course, more could be said. For a fuller description of the gospel, see Greg Gilbert's book What is the Gospel?published by Crossway. But, this brief summary allows us to see that the gospel is the good news that God has acted in Jesus Christ to save sinners and reconcile them to himself so that they may not perish, but have eternal life.

If you know yourself to be a sinner justly deserving of God's condemnation, then I exhort you to repent of your rebellion and receive God's free gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. If you still have questions, please contact our pastor at philip@trinityprescleveland.com. He would love the opportunity to continue this conversation over coffee.